In news– The Government of India observed the 66th Mahaparinirvan Diwas on December 6, 2021.
About Mahaparinirvan Diwas-
- The death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
- The term ‘parinirvan’ has a deep meaning in Buddhist traditions and refers to someone who has attained nirvana in his lifetime and after death.
- Babasaheb Ambedkar was regarded as a Buddhist guru because of his great influence in India to eradicate the social scourge of untouchability.
- Ambedkar’s admirers and followers believe he was as influential as Lord Buddha, which is why his death anniversary is celebrated as Mahaparinirvana Divas.
- The Union government has decided to celebrate Mahaparinirvan Divas as part of the major commemoration of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
About Dr.B.R Ambedkar-
- He was born on April 14, 1891, in Madhya Pradesh.
- He had done his education at Elphinstone College under Bombay University, Columbia University and then completed his Bar course from London School Of Economics.
- A revolutionary freedom fighter, Ambedkar had played a pivotal role in the upliftment of the poor and backward classes of the society.
- Ambedkar led the Dalit Buddhist campaign from the front and worked relentlessly for their equal human rights and betterment.
- He was the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee for the constitution of independent India on August 29, 1947.
- He was also the law minister of India after independence.
- He had also started fortnightly and weekly papers named ‘Excluded India’, ‘Mook Nayak’, ‘Janta’ to raise voice against the atrocities on Dalits.
- In 1956 he published his book ‘Annihilation Of Caste’ which vehemently criticized the then practice and laws regarding the untouchables and Dalits.
- The Reserve bank of India was formed on the concept presented by Babasaheb to the Hilton Young Commission.
- His 20 page autobiography, ‘Waiting for a Visa’, is used as a text book in the Columbia University.
- He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of India, posthumously in 1990.
Source: PIB
